Page 58 of Sinful Shifters

As the others gather theirs as well, I can feel their power through our mate bonds. My abilities are changing, lining up more with Fern's abilities from before she died. I just wish that I had her knowledge and memories as well.

We rush into battle, heading towards Teller's army.

I can see him in the center of it all. Ancient magic flows around him. He's gathered so much power—more than I've ever seen Ali channel. Even now, as she draws as much ancient magic to her as she can, she's a candle to his flame.

He looks up at us, a smirk playing across his lips. I remember what he wants to do to me and snarl in response.

He raises his hands and draws the magic to himself.

And he raises dozens of portals around us.

Releasing thousands upon thousands of vampires on us and the River Pack both.

Chapter46

Adar

Isummon enough fire to burn hundreds of them, but I can tell even as they fall into ashes all around us that it won't be enough. Teller has brought what seems to be every single vampire in North America to River Pack's doorstep, and he intends to bring them to their knees.

The only way to fight all of them is to use our full power. It means risking the wellspring yanking us back in. It tends to dislike it when we pull on too much power—the last time we tried, it didn't let us leave for nearly a decade.

That was before we were summoned to walk the earth, when we were nothing but incorporeal forms. Now that we've been summoned, the risks are even greater. I can feel the wellspring drawing up all around us, yanking on its leash. Teller's summoning of ancient magic has made it much more aware.

We have to risk it,I tell the other guys, leaving Rina out of this particular conversation.I know it could mean losing everything, but this is our one shot.

I can feel it.Lucian's alarm prickles the back of my neck through our warrior bond.The wellspring's noose is tightening in. It could yank us back into its cold embrace any moment.

Even as he says as much, he throws his magic at the vampires, raising a hundred of them into the sky and bringing them crashing down again. They turn into a storm of dust that his whirlwind of powers sweeps away, creating a hole in the battlefield that our warriors eagerly fill.

The wellspring isn't only our prison. It's also our savior, and our guide in this world,Thale says, ever the reasonable, practical one.It'll only draw us back into its embrace if we go too far, so we won't go too far.

It's still a risk,I remind him.We haven't channeled this much magic in a long time. And with Teller here, summoning so much magic, reality itself is bending. The wellspring may very well take us away.

We have to do it,Lucian says, as thousands more vampires join the battlefield.There's no other chance. We can't fight without using all our powers.

Together, we agree to risk it. There's just one thing.

Caterina.Thale folds her into our connection.We have to use our full powers. And if we do, there's a chance the wellspring may take us away.

Would I be able to summon you again?she asks, even as she bravely leaps on a vampire and channels my fire magic, using it to turn him to dust.I remember how. And I'm growing stronger. It'll be easier this time around.

None of us knows what is and isn't possible,I tell her, grief choking me up. I channel it into rage, sending a whip of fire out into the battlefield and mowing through an entire tank.We may not be able to see you again. Which is why I have to tell you, sweet omega, that I love you.

There's a pause in our conversation. Everett throws his head back and howls, summoning water from beneath our feet and the river itself. Hundreds of ice picks form in the air and tear through blood-hungry vampires, their fangs dripping with werewolf blood. Even as they're done and dusted, more join the fray, their numbers overwhelming.

We may never see you again, Sweet Thing,he says sadly.I also love you, like the waves love the shore, and I hope to return to you one day no matter what.

I love you too.Lucian summons a great, whirling dervish, throwing it into the battle and taking out half the remaining human army.I hope like hell that we don't return to the wellspring, because I want to bury myself in you night after night. If we do, though, just know that we used our magic out of love, not because we want to be rid of you.

I suppose I should join my brothers-in-arms,Thale says, not pausing to let Caterina respond. He keeps channeling his magic all around us, vines ripping through the undergrowth, wrapping around vampires and throwing them through the air.My love for you knows no bonds, sweet Caterina. I will think of you until the end of my days.

Enough!Rina slices through our speeches, just like she slices through a vampire with her claws.We will be together, one way or another. I'll find a way, so no more saying goodbye. I don't care what it takes, who I have to convince, or what I have to do. If the wellspring takes you, I'll take you back, or I'll jump into it feet first. Because I love the four of you—all four of you. So let's fight this thing!

I love her fierce spirit, her rebelliousness and her fiery temper. We all do. Even as more vampires pour in, as the human army sends reinforcements, I feel the surge of hope inside my chest.

There's a chance we could win this thing. We have the one thing every alpha needs: a ferocious omega, capable of more than even she knows.

Together we summon our full powers, letting ancient magic flow into us and fill our bodies.

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